AARP The Magazine - July/August 2011

Dr. Mehmet Oz FEEL YOUR BEST

The sun can irritate your skin if you’re taking or using:

MEDICATIONS to Watch

When the
Sun Makes
You Sick

This summer, while you’re having fun in the sun, keep in mind that three conditions linked to sun exposure— drug-induced sun sensitivity, sun allergy, and sun-induced eczema—can seriously damage older skin.

Drug-induced sun sensitivity, also known as phototoxicity, most often occurs when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays interact with a medication you’re taking and cause an almost immediate reaction on your skin. (See chart at right for a list of medications likely to cause skin reactions.)

A sun allergy, often called

NSAIDs ibuprofen, naproxen,
ketoprofen, celecoxib, piroxicam
Antibiotics tetracyclines,
fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxa-
cin, ofloxacin), sulfonamides
Statins atorvastatin,
fluvastatin, lovastatin,
pravastatin, simvastatin
Hypoglycemics sulfonylureas
(glipizide, glyburide)
Diuretics furosemide,
hydroclorothiazide
Sunscreens para-aminoben-
zoic acid (PABA), cinnamates,
benzophenones, salicylates
Fragrances musk ambrette,
6-methylcoumarin, sandalwood
TOP LEF T: AR T STREIBER; ILLUS TRATIONS BY RYAN SNOOK

FREQUENCY
ONSET OF
SYMPTOMS
LOCATION
MAIN S YMPTOM
APPEARANCE
THREE
TYPES OF
SUN
ILLNESS

a photoallergy, comes on more slowly but can also be dangerous. This type of sun sensitivity usually happens when UV rays convert a chemical, such as a fragrance on your skin, into a substance that your immune system decides to attack. The result is an itchy, red rash that can take several days to go away.

Finally, sun-induced eczema occurs when your entire immune system goes haywire, causing itchy, red skin or, in severe cases, blisters. Dermatologists think long-term, intense sun exposure may alter our skin in such a way that our immune system no longer recognizes it as our own. The condition tends to be

PHOTOTOXICITY
Common
Minutes to hours after
UV exposure
Sun-exposed skin
Pain
Exacerbated sunburn

PHOTOALLERGY
Rare
One to two days after
UV exposure
Sun-exposed skin
Itching
Redness, rash

SUN-INDUCED ECZEMA
Rare
Gradually,
over time
Anywhere on skin
Itching
Rash, blistering

more common in older men with a history of working outdoors, though it has also been seen in women who love to sunbathe.

To avoid these ailments, plus skin cancer, limit your sun exposure. Avoid the sun during peak hours ( 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Wear clothing made of a tightly woven material with long sleeves. And use the right sunscreen. Ultraviolet rays are made up of UVA and UVB rays, but the UVA rays are the bigger culprit in triggering sun-induced skin disorders. Make sure to buy sunscreen that contains one of the following ingredients, which block both types of rays: avoben-zone, dioxybenzone, ecam-sule, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. ;